My RI Trip Wishlist :)

Hey friends :)

I'll be in RI March 5-11th!!! I'm so excited to see and catch up with all of you :)! I've missed you all and I can't wait to see all of your beautiful faces and hug each one of you!

Here's what I want to do while I'm there (in no particular order), let me know what you're in for :)

*Thayer Street - a classic lol
*Newport - hopefully on the warmest and sunniest day :)
*Texas Road House
*Chili's (Smithfield)
*JD's (all day breakfast baby!!!)
*Classical
*Providence Place
*Zoo (prob with fam)
*Mini Golf (are they open? Is it warm enough?)
*SAAG
*Check out the Salsa scene? Mediterranean? (Meli, find out for me :P)

Let's start planning!!! :)

Much love and XO's,

Anna :)

A lighthouse... One of many :)

Pride and Prejudice - An Idealistic View of Relationships?

Current mood: blissful
Category: Romance and Relationships

Ok, so I confess, I watched it again tonight (for like the 7th time) and I finally realized why it is my favorite movie. No, it's not the drama or the romance, or the really good looking Mr. Darcy... It's the purity and the innocence of the love relationships it portrays... Even though I haven't read the book, which I imagine goes into greater detail of the progression of the relationships, I think I have a fairly good picture of how Jane and Lizzy's romances unfolded. I do realize that this story is fiction, nevertheless, it does draw a somewhat accurate representation of how love, relationships and marriage were approached at that time period.

Someone called me old fashioned the other day. I corrected them, saying that I was proper. I believe in the principle of things. I believe that for most things in life (big things) there is a right way and a wrong way and I believe that these ways are absolute, black and white with no grey areas to ponder. I believe in mind over matter. Wisdom over emotions. My emotions do not rule over me (not for long anyway :P), my conscience does. I am not an "idealist" nor am I naive... I have enough experience to know what works and what doesn't and enough knowledge of the truth to be free not to repeat the same old mistakes (for the most part). However, call me pure and innocent and I'll take that as the greatest compliment :)

Sometimes I think I was born in the wrong time period... I look back at a time in history when feelings were only viewed as genuine if they were backed up by a commitment. When marriage was the only committed relationship there was and real love was tested by the best test: time. When there was no such thing as casual dating and casual sex. When you barely touched and only held hands during dancing. When you didn't kiss while courting and sexual intimacy before marriage was out of the question. Old fashioned? Well, if you consider relationships that were built on commitment instead of fickle feelings and urges that come and go as they please old fashioned, then yes.

Last week one of my coworkers tried telling me that it was ok for him to sleep with his girlfriend because they were in a committed relationship. So I asked him that without a ring on his finger, what prevented him from deciding to end that relationship and go sleep with someone else because they were "better"? But I guess these days even a wedding band doesn't prevent people from doing just that. Someone else told me that before they commit to marriage they want to totally "test out" the product, meaning do everything including living together before making it official. Their reasoning was that you had to make sure you had good sexual chemistry before making that big of a commitment. That's funny, because Jane and Lizzy weren't worried about it and neither am I... I don't want someone to love me based on our sexual chemistry. That's not love, it's lust. Don't get me wrong, I think that that aspect of the relationship is extremely important and that's why you'll have the rest of your lives together to work on it and perfect it :)

When did it become ok to reduce marriage to a couple of rings and a signed piece of paper? Is that all it means now? How can we expect people to commit to one person for the rest of their life when young people are encouraged to date around, sleep around and enjoy all the benefits of marriage without any of the commitment? How can marriage even be valued when instant gratification is everything and casual short terms relationships are the norm? How can people learn to endure the sacrifices of marriage and looking out for the other person's best interest when the society only promotes staying in a relationships while it feels good and you're happy with your partner. That's not a commitment, it's a game. Even sports get more commitment than that from their players.

Bottom line... when you buy a house, something that costs a lot of money, a place that you will make a commitment to for a large part of your life and plan to make a home of, you're not going to buy a house whose real estate agent didn't take care of, right? As a real estate agent you can't just let all prospective or interested buyers "try out" the house in any way they want. You can't let people live in the house, use all of its utilities and get all of its benefits just because they want to make sure everything is to their liking before they make the commitment to buy it. If that was the case, and prospective buyers kept moving in and out of that house, it wouldn't be long before that would take a toll on the house and it would start to get damaged and messy... People generally only need to look at the house for a limited amount of time before they make that commitment. The main reason being because they already know what they are looking for. Don’t go looking and shopping when you don’t even know what you want/need because that means that you are not ready to buy. Meanwhile, you might be messing up somebody’s future house in the process. Buying is different from renting. Renters move in and out for selfish reasons and don't care about the house. Buyers make an investment that they know will increase in value over the years and put in the time and money to fix the problems instead of moving out. I am (and you are) a lot more valuable than a house and require a much greater commitment.

I want the innocence, I want the purity, I want the beauty of being in a relationship that is willing to wait. I want the best there is :) and I’m not going to settle for anything less...

Mike Carper (USC) wrote at 2:06am on February 24th, 2008 Best Line "that's why you'll have the rest of your lives together to work on it and perfect it :)" I like the house analogy

Evgeny Ivanov (no network) wrote at 6:13am on February 24th, 2008 Shalom from Jerusalem! Very though provoking lines! I do back up all of it! I hope all could see that and spare some pain! Good day and blessings! Evgeny

Sasha Krotova (Washington) wrote at 12:07am on February 25th, 2008 Annichka I love you so much! Especially for this. I think every woman has this feeling inside them. We don't want to feel used you know!? Well, you said all the perfect words here and I am glad that you won't change for anyone... and if you do, I'll kick your butt! You are beautiful and I know that you will meet someone a trillion times better than what you have ever imagined him to be--that's how God planned it, so for now, He's just letting you do some gardening and weed those poeple out that you don't need in your life. I love Pride and Prejudice,,,and let me tell you, the book is WAY better than the movie. I love mr. Darcy as well! lol Movie night? I LOVE YOU!!!

Anna Peskin wrote at 5:19pm on February 25th, 2008 So much can be said on the subject... There are countless messages and books out there and everyone has their own opinion... These are two of the best ones I've heard (and I've read and heard a lot about it). Everyone needs to hear these two messages: http://www.220power.com/interact/index.php "God's Way to Romantic Relationships pt. 1 & 2" Pastor Joel Stockstill

I HATE Religion!!! (With a PASSION!!!)

Please don't call me "religious".
Please don't call my church "organized religion".
And please don't ever mistake my faith for a "religion".

I've had my experience with religion and I hate it. Religion is what pushed me (and continues to push countless others) away from God. God's love is what brought me (and countless others) back...
In all irony, religion is what crucified Jesus.

Religion is the law, it's the "I have to", it's us "doing" this and that so that God would accept us and we can feel good about ourselves. It's guilt, fear, uncertainty and bondage. Who wants that? I don't!

The reason The Image is non-denominational is because we are "non-religious". We are radical, passionate and free... And over half of us are under the age of 21. What would make a 21 year old go to church 3 days a week? What would make an 18 year old spend a Friday night at a youth service and then stay and have night prayer 'till 3 am? Do they have to? No, some of their parents are not even there. They want to because they have tasted something... they have discovered something wonderful... they have encountered a God who loves them so much He actually wants them to enjoy having a relationship with Him.

People have some scary preconceived notions about God... Pastor Wendell's favorite is that God will make you marry somebody ugly and move to outer Siberia. Says who?! In case you haven't stepped into a church lately, that's where all the good looking people are :) The point is, God wants GOOD things for you. Just like a parent wants the BEST for his children, God only wants the best for us. Psalm 37:4, one of my favorite scriptures, says that He wants to give us the desires of our heart :)

God has given us a free will because He doesn't want a robotic, programmed, and forced religion. He wants a freedom and love filled relationship. He wants us to choose Him. The reason I'm friends with you is because I chose to be your friend. I actually want to talk to you, be around you and know you.

Why do I love God and live for Him the way that I do? Because I've tasted something I can't turn away from. I know no better way to live. I know of nothing better than being in a relationship with my Creator and fulfilling the purpose for which I was created.

Pastor Elijah wrote a beautifully simple song last year and it sums it up rather well. It's an "I want to" rather than an "I have to". It's a love relationship, not a dead religion.

"Not because I have to
Just because I want to
Be with You Lord Jesus
You're the one I love

There is no other love
Like Your amazing love
Your love has found me
Your love compels me

You are my heart's desire
My love for you is like fire
I can't contain it
I can't explain it

And I am not mistaken
I live to worship You

Not because I have to
Just because I want to
Be with You Lord Jesus
'Cause You're the one I love"

God Reaching Out to Man

Fuego Contra Fuego

Current mood: peaceful
Category: Romance and Relationships

Hey guys… sorry I haven’t shared my heart and mind in a while. The reason? Well, let’s just say that I’ve been distracted. Distracted by a dangerous game of playing with fire… and getting burned in the process. I thought I was being so careful, so in control, when in fact, everything has been spinning out of control. I’ve been kidding and disillusioning myself of my true motives and feelings. While they were genuine and pure, I was kidding myself in thinking I could actually carry them out without having it take a toll on me. Like a butterfly showing off it’s beauty too close to a glittering spider web and getting caught in it… Being so careful in guarding my heart only to have it broken by a lack of my own good judgment and discretion. Getting too involved and attached, forming bonds, ties and friendships that went too deep, got too personal, and were too painful to break. The result? Frustration, pain, tears, fear, self condemnation, despair, disappointment and heartbreak.

I am stunned by how much God loves me… How like a gentle father He didn’t let me out of his hand, didn’t let me fall, but showed me exactly what I was doing and why I was doing it. He spoke to me, comforted me, healed me and restored me. He affirmed me and assured me of His love… took me in His arms, let me cry in His lap and loved me… and then showed me what He has for me and reminded me of His promises for my future… I am stunned…

For the last two days, God has been speaking to me so consistently, so clearly, so lovingly, making me see His will for me as well as His love and grace for me… When all I could do was blame myself for my foolishness and beat myself up for what looked like failure to me, He lifted me up, letting me know I was still His child, and still a human prone to making mistakes… and that it was ok.

The conclusion? This song was on repeat in my car as I was driving to church from work tonight… As I was bawling my eyes out in pure desperation, I encountered God and this is my most sincere prayer after all that I’ve learned…
I’m letting it go. I can’t do it nor is it my place to. I trust God to want it more than I do and to finish what He started…

Fire against fire… The fire of salsa against the fire of my passion for God and for people… Light that burns within me…

Speak For Me lyrics
Jaci Velasquez

What have I to offer
To a world in need
Yet for some unknown reason
You have chosen me

Lord You've set my journey
You've prepared the way
Still, I'm desperate for the words to say

All I am is willing
All I have is in Your hands

Speak for me, this my plea
Say the words I can't express
Sing for me a heavenly melody
That the people will be blessed
Speak for me

Every brief encounter
That You send my way
Is a chance to show the love You gave me
I see their troubled faces
A hunger deep inside
Lord, I depend on You to touch their lives

Light what burns within me
Let Your truth shine through my life

Sing for me, set me free
And they will see Your holiness
Speak for me

'Cause Your love will lead them on to heaven's gate
Where they can look upon Your face

Light what burns within me
Let Your truth shine through my life

Speak for me, this my plea
Say the words I can't express
Sing for me a heavenly melody
That the people will be blessed
Speak for me

Sing for me, set me free
And they will see Your holiness
Speak for me

You're all I have to offer to a world in need.

Fuego

Rebecca Joy Grayson (Northwest) wrote at 3:50pm on February 13th, 2008 Touching note, thank you for sharing so transparently and testifying so clearly. Your words have touched me and yes, God is awesome. In Him we have everything, and in everything we have Him. :)

Beth Freitas (Teach For America) wrote at 4:41pm on February 13th, 2008 Anna, you're a great woman.

Alexandra Barrett (Washington) wrote at 9:13pm on February 13th, 2008 I identify with a lot of what you wrote. You pretty much said it all. You are a brave, dashing, God loving, and admirable woman!

Save the Date: Sunday, February 17!!!

Hi Friends :)

I love having each one of you in my life :) and I love being able to share my life with you. Since all of you are very near and dear to my heart, you all know about something else that I hold very dear to me. I'm sure you've all heard my stories about THE IMAGE and shared in my excitement in starting this brand new church which I consider my home and my family. I know some of you have already visited and witnessed the passion, the fire, and the love I have for it. Most of you have even seen pictures and heard stories of our journey in getting into our new building, all the hard work, long hours and large amounts of money put into remodeling it, and all the miracles experienced along the way. Well, our beautiful new building is now complete and after spending a couple of months getting comfortable in it, we are ready and excited for our GRAND OPENING!!! I personally, as well as on behalf of our young, beautiful church, cordially invite you to join us on SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2008 at 11 AM for our GRAND OPENING CELEBRATION!!! This is truly a big deal considering all the events that have happened to us as a church in the past year leading up to this. I would be honored to share this special time with you and really hope you can make it because I'll be looking for you ;)


With LOTS of love,

~Anna~